New Zealand vs South Africa, 2nd Test: Preview

Had rain not washed away the final day of the first Test, a result would have been achieved and either team could have come to Hamilton with some bragging rights. However, both arrive on equal terms and they are all set to resume battle. The key question will be: which team has the momentum?

For the Proteas, they would be slightly more disappointed than the Kiwis. They needed to win this series 3-0 so that they could dethrone England and become the No.1 Test team. With that opportunity gone, they must now focus on winning this series. Although New Zealand just about hung in there, they have more problems than the South Africans. They will have to iron out their deficiencies quickly if they want to win this Test match.

SOUTH AFRICA

They looked the better team in Dunedin. After a sluggish start in the first innings, the top order came into their own in the second. Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Jacques Rudolph scored centuries. Smith and Rudolph also contributed in the first innings and they will be happy with their form. AB de Villiers is doubtful for this Test due to an ankle injury and that might open the door for JP Duminy.

The trend with Dale Steyn is that if he has one lean match, he comes back with a bang in the next. With the Hamilton pitch expected to have a lot more grass, Steyn will be a handful for the Kiwis. The bowler who troubled New Zealand the most in the first Test was Vernon Philander. His form in Tests has been fantastic and his seam movement both ways may cause problems for the Kiwis again.

It is hard to pin-point any weakness in the South African set-up. Thus, they head into this match again as favorites.

NEW ZEALAND

If the veterans had not contributed at Dunedin, they would have come into Hamilton trailing 0-1. Chris Martin was splendid in the first innings with the ball while Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor performed well with the bat. Barring these three, the rest of the line-up failed to contribute.

Martin Guptill, who was the star in the T20Is and in the ODIs, struggled in the first Test. There have been calls to push Brendon McCullum to the opening position and push Rob Nicol down the order. This might not be a bad idea, considering that McCullum averages in the high 40s as an opener. Kane Williamson has not gotten going yet while Daniel Vettori played an enterprising knock. Kruger van Wyk showed that he has a safe pair of gloves and that he is a solid batsman who can play around the tail.

The bowling is a major worry for the Kiwis. Trent Boult struggled to achieve penetration while Tim Southee was woeful. He has been dropped from this Test and his place could go to either Brent Arnel or Mark Gillespie. Gillespie's selection in the squad is an interesting one for he has not played Test cricket since December 2008.

CONCLUSION

Given the conditions, one might expect South Africa to roll New Zealand over without much trouble. However, the Kiwis have shown that they play their best cricket when their backs are to the wall. It is the battle between Efficiency and Unpredictability which makes this contest a cracker.

FACTS AND FIGURES

*South Africa have not lost an away series since 2006. After being whitewashed 2-0 in Sri Lanka, they have played eight series away from home. They have won five and drawn three.

*A total of 18 Tests have been played at Hamilton. New Zealand have won seven matches, drawn six and lost five.

*Graeme Smith has scored a total of 22 Test centuries as captain, the most by any individual in Test matches.